EP3168620A1 - Waste shipment system - Google Patents

Abstract

Waste delivery system (1) for transporting consumables through a waste chute (3) into a waste container (4) for consumables, comprising a waste chute (3) having an opening (6), said opening (6) having a plurality of fins (8) for partially discharging or completely closing the opening (6).

Description

The invention relates to a waste disposal system for an automatic analyzer and is in the art of automatic analyzers.

Numerous detection and analysis methods for the determination of physiological parameters in body fluid samples or other biological samples are now carried out automatically in large numbers in automatic analyzers, also known as in vitro diagnostic systems.

Today's analyzers are capable of performing a variety of detection reactions and analyzes on a sample. In order to be able to carry out a large number of investigations in an automated manner, various devices are required for the spatial transfer of measuring cells, reaction containers and reagent containers, such as e.g. Transfer arms with gripping function, conveyor belts or rotatable transport wheels, as well as devices for the transfer of liquids, such as e.g. Pipetting. The devices include a control unit, which is capable of using the appropriate software to plan the work steps for the desired analyzes largely independent and work off.

Many of the analysis methods used in such automated analyzers rely on optical methods. These methods allow the qualitative and quantitative detection of analytes, ie the substances to be detected or determined in samples. The determination of clinically relevant parameters, such as the concentration or activity of an analyte, is carried out in many cases by a part of a sample with one or more test reagents in a reaction vessel, which also the measuring cell may be mixed, thereby initiating, for example, a biochemical reaction or a specific binding reaction which causes a measurable change in an optical or other physical property of the assay.

It is known that in automatic analyzers used for the examination of biological body fluids, the required reagents are introduced by means of a pipetting device with a pipetting needle into a measuring cuvette. The cuvette is thereby automatically moved with a cuvette gripper within the automatic analyzer to various positions by means of a robot arm, which is part of a robotic station. After the measurement, the used cuvette is transported through a waste chute into a waste container for disposal. The used cuvette often still contains liquid. The liquid in the cuvette should not squirt out of the cuvette and contaminate the analyzer.

The cuvette is moved through the waste chute into the waste container with the cuvette gripper and transported to the waste chute for disposal. There is a risk that liquid, which is in the used cuvettes, squirts out of the cuvettes and contaminates the analyzer. Furthermore, the risk of contamination for personnel operating the analyzer is considerable.

From the EP 2308588 A2 Various gripping systems and grippers for cuvettes are known, which are configured, for example, in one piece and elastically deformable and function passively. Other grippers are designed in several parts and can actively perform gripping movements.

For example, the cuvette at the refuse chute is transferred from the cuvette gripper to another gripper, which is designed as a multipart electric gripper and can actively perform gripping movements. The empty cuvette gripper can be moved on to process the next cuvette. The electric gripper is opened by means of a control software over the waste pipe, and the used cuvette falls through the waste chute in the waste container. As a result, the use of used measuring cuvettes is comparatively complicated, time-consuming and error-prone. This particularly relates to the transfer of the measuring cuvette to the electric gripper and the electric gripper itself. This leads to a higher expenditure of time and costs and considerably increases the susceptibility to errors in the processing of an analysis in an automatic analyzer.

Similar problems as with the cuvettes also arise with other consumables such. replaceable pipette tips.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a waste disposal system which reduces the risk of contamination to personnel operating the analyzer. Furthermore, a reduction in the cost and time required and a lower susceptibility to error in an automatic analyzer should be achieved.

This object is achieved by the objects and methods described below.

It has been found that an improved waste disposal system can be achieved when a plurality of louvers are provided for partially or completely closing the opening of the waste chute. The consumables can be inserted between the slats and are then held by them.

This has the advantage that spillage of liquid that may be present in the consumables is avoided and thus a reduction in the risk of contamination by splashing of the liquid is achieved. Furthermore, this has the advantage that the lamellae have additional mechanical and electrical components, such as e.g. can replace an electric gripper and so electrically moving parts can be saved. This allows a reduction in the cost and time required and a lower error rate in the processing of an analysis in an automatic analyzer.

The subject of the present invention is a waste disposal system for transferring consumables through a waste chute into a waste container, the waste shipment system comprising a waste chute with an opening, the waste chute comprising a plurality of louvers for partially or completely closing the opening.

In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of louvers for partially or completely closing the opening is connected to the refuse chute.

Preferably, the garbage chute is at least as long as the longest dimension of the consumables. This causes the consumables not fall directly into the waste container, but initially are completely in the refuse chute and fall from the refuse chute into the waste container. Furthermore, this causes a certain spatial separation between the opening of the waste chute and the waste container. This has the advantage that any liquid still present in the consumables, which emerges from the consumables in the waste container, can not or only to a lesser extent get through the garbage outlet by, for example, squirting out. This can For example, reduce the risk of contamination of operating and service personnel.

Preferably, the cross section of the waste chute is greater than the smallest dimension, and smaller than the largest dimension of the consumables. Thus, for example, in measuring cuvettes having a cylindrical shape with a height and a diameter, wherein the height is greater than the diameter, the cross section of the waste chute preferably larger than the diameter and smaller than the height of the measuring cuvettes. This has the advantage that the consumables can pass through the waste chute only in a certain orientation. Thus, e.g. ensures that any liquid still present in the consumables exits the consumables only in the waste container and not already within the waste chute. This can, for example, further reduce the risk of contamination of operating and service personnel.

The consumables are preferably cuvettes or pipette tips.

Preferably, the consumables are still products that are used only once and then disposed of or replaced.

In particular, a waste disposal system for moving cuvettes through a waste chute into a cuvette waste container is the subject of the present invention. The garbage transfer system comprises a garbage chute having an opening including a plurality of louvers connected to the garbage chute for partially or completely closing the opening, and wherein the louvers are self-recovering.

The first measuring cuvette used is moved to the opening to the refuse shaft and there with the cuvette gripper stuck between the slats. The lamellas are aligned so that they exert a force on the cuvette and hold it firmly so that the used cuvette does not fall into the waste slot. The empty cuvette gripper can, for example, be moved further to process the next measuring cuvette.

The lamellae are advantageously aligned and designed so that they restrict the movement of the measuring cuvette so that a splashing of liquid from the cuvette is prevented. Further, the slats are advantageously made of an elastic material and / or elastically connected to the refuse chute in order to dampen any acceleration of the measuring cuvette occurring during contact of the measuring cuvette with the lamellae and thus to prevent liquid splash out of the cuvette even if there are accelerations the cuvette comes.

A second used cuvette is then placed on the first cuvette used. The cuvette gripper pushes the first used cuvette with the second cuvette used vertically down into the opening of the waste slot. Other used measuring cuvettes are handled accordingly. If one of the measuring cuvettes used is pushed sufficiently deep into the opening of the waste slot, this measuring cuvette is released by the lamellae and falls into the waste container.

Preferably, the lamellae are sufficiently elastic to prevent the rebounding lamellae that have released the lowermost measuring cuvette not hitting against the cuvette located above it, as otherwise this could lead to a squirting out of liquid from this cuvette.

By means of the design of the slats, it can be achieved that the first measuring cuvette used is already pushed sufficiently deep into the opening of the waste slot by the second measuring cuvette used in order to be released by the slats and to fall into the waste container. Alternatively, the fins may be designed so that three or more used cuvettes must be placed on the first cuvette used before it is released from the fins and falls into the waste container. The corresponding configuration of the slats comprises, for example, their size, shape and / or arrangement.

Advantageously, a garbage transfer system according to the invention comprises a garbage chute, a garbage bin and a garbage shaft support, whereby cuvettes can be transported through the garbage chute into the garbage bin and the garbage chute can be secured to the garbage bin by means of the girder.

Furthermore, the waste disposal system advantageously comprises a robotic station with an automatically movable transfer arm with a cuvette gripper for moving cuvettes within the action range of the automatically movable transfer arm.

Advantageously, the waste chute and the waste container are arranged in the gravitational field of the earth so that a cuvette can be brought into the waste chute through the first opening of the waste chute and then fall by gravity down through the chute into the waste container.

Advantageously, the waste disposal system comprises at least one plastic injection molded part. Advantageously, the waste chute, the waste container, the cuvette gripper and / or the lamella insert are each a plastic injection-molded part.

Advantageously, the waste chute is made particularly stable, and the lamellae are designed to be elastic. This has the advantage that acceleration forces on the measuring cuvettes are avoided or at least minimized.

In an advantageous embodiment, the lamellae made of plastic and / or rubber. This allows a particularly inexpensive production of the slats with conventional manufacturing processes. In a further advantageous embodiment, the fins are made of metal, e.g. Copper, steel, aluminum.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the slats are detachably connected to the refuse chute, e.g. by clamping the slats in the refuse chute, by means of an adhesive connection and / or a screw connection. This has the advantage that the fins, e.g. can be easily and inexpensively replaced when worn, without having to replace the garbage chute or other parts of the garbage disposal system. This can also lead to significant cost savings.

In a preferred embodiment, the fins are connected together and form a lamella insert, which can be attached as a part of the refuse chute. This simplifies the attachment and replacement of the slats considerably, since only one slat insert is to handle and not a plurality of individual slats.

In a preferred embodiment, the slats are directed radially inwardly in the cross section of the waste chute. This has the advantage that the lamella insert can be made particularly simple and inexpensive. Furthermore, the function of the lamella insert is independent of the radial orientation of the lamella insert on the opening of the waste chute. This can be especially true with cuvettes an angular cross section be advantageous because such cuvettes can then be inserted regardless of their orientation relative to the refuse chute or the lamella insert in the blade insert and a costly orientation can be omitted.

In a further preferred embodiment, the lamella insert comprises at least one lamellar rim. This has the advantage that the lamella insert can be easily and inexpensively manufactured. Furthermore, the lamella insert can be manufactured particularly simply in one piece, which enables a particularly simple and cost-effective production and assembly or disassembly. This is of particular importance when the lamella insert is designed as a wearing part and must be replaced regularly. Furthermore, cuvettes are held in a particularly reliable manner by a lamellar ring, and tilting of the cuvette can be prevented, which could otherwise lead to leakage of liquid out of the cuvette.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the blade insert comprises at least two superimposed lamellar rings. This has the advantage that cuvettes are held particularly reliable. In particular, the cuvettes are held by the lamellae in a vertical position and do not skew. This avoids particularly reliably that liquid can escape unintentionally from a used cuvette.

In a further preferred embodiment, the lamellae of adjacent lamellar rings are offset from each other. This has the advantage that cuvettes can be inserted into the lamellar rings particularly easily and with little risk of error. Further, the cuvettes are particularly accurately aligned with respect to the lamellar rings and centered when inserting into the lamellar rings. This allows a special reliable introduction of the cuvettes through the waste chute into the waste container.

In a further preferred embodiment, the opening of the waste chute on a round, oval, square, rectangular or polygonal cross-section. This has the advantage that the shape of the cross section of the opening can be adapted to the cross section of the cuvettes. This allows a particularly simple and reliable introduction of the cuvettes through the waste chute in the waste container. Furthermore, the waste chute can be made particularly space-saving, which can be of particular advantage in automatic analyzers.

In another preferred embodiment, the waste chute in the region of the opening comprises an opening mechanism for a cuvette gripper. If a measuring cuvette is moved to the opening of the waste shaft by means of a cuvette gripper and inserted into the lamellae with the cuvette gripper, the opening mechanism simultaneously opens the cuvette gripper so that the cuvette gripper releases the cuvette and can be moved further without the cuvette in order to process further cuvettes. This has the advantage that cuvettes are on the one hand firmly connected to the cuvette gripper during the procedure and on the other hand are released from the cuvette gripper without much additional effort in the opening of the waste slot.

In a further preferred embodiment, the opening mechanism comprises a structure for opening a cuvette gripper which is similar in shape to a prism having a triangle as the base and top surfaces. This has the advantage that the opening mechanism can be implemented particularly simply and inexpensively. Further, this embodiment is particularly advantageous in combination with a one-piece cuvette gripper, which by the triangular structure can be particularly easily and efficiently forced apart to release the cuvette.

Preferably, a waste disposal system according to the invention is suitable for an automatic analyzer.

Another object of the invention is a waste container with an aforementioned Abfallverbringungssystem invention. This has the advantage that the used cuvettes can be collected in the waste container and the further disposal or recycling in the raw material cycle can be supplied.

Another object of the invention is a holder for an aforementioned waste chute according to the invention. The holder is connected to a waste container and allows the production of a detachable connection between the waste chute and the waste container. The releasable connection is preferably a plug connection which can be produced and released by hand without the use of tools. This has the advantage that the waste chute can be mounted and dismantled very easily and quickly. This also leads to significant cost advantages.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the connector between the holder and waste chute is locked by a rotational movement of the waste chute. This has the advantage that the detachable connection between the holder and waste chute can be made and solved particularly easily and with little error prone.

Preferably, the waste disposal system according to the invention is suitable for use in an automatic analyzer.

Another object of the invention is an analysis device comprising an aforementioned waste disposal system according to the invention. The analyzer includes further advantageously at least one pipetting unit and at least one measuring device for the optical and / or electronic quantitative detection of at least one analyte in a sample.

Another object of the invention is the use of a Abfallverbringungssystems invention for moving cuvettes through a waste chute in a waste container for cuvettes.

Another object of the invention is the use of a Abfallverbringungssystems invention in an automatic analyzer for moving cuvettes through a waste chute in a waste container for cuvettes.

Another object of the invention is a method for moving cuvettes into a waste container in an automatic analyzer according to the invention comprising a cuvette gripper, the cuvette gripper moving the cuvette to open the waste tube.

For the purposes of the invention, a "sample" is to be understood as meaning the material that the substance to be detected (the analyte) presumably contains. The term "sample" includes in particular biological fluids of humans or animals such as blood, plasma, serum, sputum, exudate, bronchoalveolar lavage, lymph, synovial fluid, seminal fluid, vaginal mucus, feces, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, but also eg by homogenization or cell lysis for the photometric, preferably nephelometric determination according to processed tissue or cell culture samples. Furthermore, for example, vegetable fluids or tissue, forensic samples, water and wastewater samples, foods, drugs may serve as a sample, which may need to be subjected to a corresponding sample pretreatment before the determination.

Quantitative detection measures the amount, concentration or activity of the analyte in the sample. The term "quantitative detection" also includes semiquantitative methods which can only capture the approximate amount, concentration or activity of the analyte in the sample or can only serve for a relative indication of quantity, concentration or activity. By qualitative detection is meant detecting the presence of the analyte in the sample at all, or indicating that the amount, concentration or activity of the analyte in the sample is below or above a certain threshold (s).

A measuring cuvette is, for example, a cuvette or a reaction vessel made of glass, plastic or metal. Advantageously, the measuring cuvette is made of optically transparent materials, which may be particularly advantageous when using optical analysis methods.

The terms "cuvette" and "cuvette" are used synonymously.

The invention will be explained in more detail by way of example with reference to drawings. Show:

• FIG. 1 3 shows schematically the construction of a waste disposal system (1) with the holder (12), the cuvette gripper (11), the waste chute (3, 3 ') and the waste container (4),
• FIG. 2 schematically the waste chute (3) with opening mechanism (10) and removed lamellar insert (7),
• FIG. 3 schematically a sectional view of the waste chute (3) with the cuvette gripper (11) held cuvette (2),
• FIG. 4 schematically details of the opening mechanism (10), the cuvette gripper (11) and the waste chute (3) obliquely from above,
• FIG. 5 schematically a first measuring cuvette (2) held by the lamellar rings (9, 9 ') and a second measuring cuvette (2') in the cuvette gripper (11),
• FIG. 6 schematically the with the waste container (4) connectable holder (12) with dissolved waste chute (3).

Identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

The waste disposal system (1) according to FIG. 1 is embedded in a not-shown analyzer, which is designed to perform a variety of analyzes of samples. For this purpose, the automatic analyzer comprises a plurality of pipetting devices and transport devices, not shown, as well as a control unit for the automated analysis of the analyzes.

The waste disposal system (1) comprises the waste chute (3) with the opening (6) in which the lamella insert (7) is detachably inserted. Further, the waste disposal system (1) comprises the support (12), a portion of the waste chute (3 ') and the waste container (4) and the cuvette gripper (11). The section of the waste chute (3 ') is located inside the waste container (4). The holder (12) is attached to the waste container (4) and is detachably connected to the waste chute (3). The cuvette gripper (11) is designed in one piece and manufactured as a plastic injection-molded part.

FIG. 2 shows the refuse chute (3) with the opening (6) and the opening mechanism (10), which is designed in the shape similar to a regular prism with a triangle as a base and top surface. Next shows FIG. 2 the lamella insert (7) with lamellae (8), which form a lamellar rim (9). The lamella insert (7) can be detachably connected to the waste chute (3) by at least partially inserting the lamella insert (7) into the upper part of the waste chute (3).

FIG. 3 shows the upper portion of the waste chute (3) with the inserted lamellar insert (7). The lamella insert (7) comprises two lamellae rings (9, 9 ') arranged one above the other, each formed by a plurality of lamellae (8). In the lamella insert (7), a cuvette (2) by means of the cuvette gripper (11) is partially inserted. In the cuvette (2) is liquid (13). Next, the opening mechanism (10) is shown. The cuvette gripper (11) has two arms that can be spread by the opening mechanism (10), which then releases the gripped cuvette. The spreading takes place by movement of the cuvette gripper in the direction of the image plane (not shown).

FIG. 4 shows the upper portion of the waste chute (3) with the inserted lamella insert (7) and the opening mechanism (10). The lamella insert (7) comprises two lamellae rings (9, 9 ') arranged one above the other, each formed by a plurality of lamellae (8). The cuvette gripper (11) is located above the opening (6). By moving the cuvette gripper (11) in the direction A, the two arms of the cuvette gripper (11) are spread. This would release a cuvette (2) (not shown) held by the cuvette gripper (11). Next shows FIG. 4 the holder (12).

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the upper portion of the waste chute (3) with the inserted lamella insert (7) and the opening mechanism (10). The lamella insert (7) comprises two lamellae rings (9, 9 ') arranged one above the other, each formed by a plurality of lamellae (8). A first cuvette (2) is located in the lamellar insert (7) and is held by the lamellae (8) of the lamellar rings (9, 9 '). The cuvette gripper (11) retains a second cuvette (2 ') and pushes the first cuvette (2) downwards in the direction B through the lamellar rings (9, 9') by means of the second cuvette (2 '), so that the first cuvette (2') Cuvette (2) through the waste chute (3) down into the waste container (4) (not shown) may fall.

FIG. 6 shows the lower part of the waste chute (3) with the first holding elements (14), each projecting as a protruding web laterally on the refuse shaft (3) at its lower end outside. Overall, the waste chute (3) has three first holding elements (14), which are arranged at an angular distance of about 120 degrees around the refuse shaft (3) around. The holder (12) has complementary to the first holding elements (14) second holding elements (15). The waste chute (3) can be detachably connected to the holder by means of the first (14) and second (15) holding elements. By twisting the releasable connection can be locked.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Waste Shipment System

2, 2 '

cuvette

3, 3 '

waste chute

4

waste container

6

opening

7

lamellar insert

8th

slats

9, 9 '

lamellar ring

10

opening mechanism

11

Küvettengreifer

12

bracket

13

liquid

14

First holding element

15

Second holding element

A, B

direction

Claims (15)

Waste delivery system (1) for transporting consumables through a waste chute (3) into a waste container (4), the waste shipment system (1) comprising a waste chute (3) with an opening (6), characterized in that
the waste chute (3) comprises a plurality of self-recovering louvers (8) for partially or completely closing the opening (6). Waste delivery system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the consumables are cuvettes (2) or pipette tips. Waste delivery system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lamellae (8) consist of an elastic material and / or are elastically connected to the waste chute. Waste delivery system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lamellae (8) made of plastic, rubber and / or metal. Waste delivery system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lamellae (8) are releasably connected to the waste chute (3). Waste delivery system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lamellae (8) form a lamellar insert (7). Waste delivery system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lamellas (8) are directed inwards in the cross section of the waste chute (3). Waste delivery system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lamellae (8) form at least one lamellar rim (9). Waste delivery system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lamellae (8) form at least two lamellae rings (9, 9 ') arranged one above the other. Waste delivery system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the lamellae (8) of adjacent lamellar rings (9, 9 ') are offset from each other. Waste delivery system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at the refuse shaft (3) an opening mechanism (10) for a cuvette gripper (11) is mounted. The waste transfer system (1) according to claim 11, wherein the opening mechanism (10) comprises a structure that is similar in shape to a prism having a triangle as the base and top surfaces. An automatic analyzer comprising a waste disposal system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12. An automatic analyzer according to claim 13 comprising a cuvette gripper (11). Method for moving cuvettes (2) into a waste container (4) in an automatic analyzer according to claim 14, wherein the cuvette gripper (11) moves the cuvette to the opening (6) of the waste chute (3).

Images